Shoe ease footwear and method of making the same

ABSTRACT

An article of footwear with an upper and a sole. The upper has a flap portion while the sole has a lip portion. The flap portion of the upper is configured to removably attach to the lip portion of the sole, allowing a user to wear the article of footwear in a closed or open orientation.

REFERENCE

The present application is related to and claims priority from prior PCT international application number PCT/US16/65513, filed Dec. 8, 2016, which application is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention(s). It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art, or material, to the presently described or claimed inventions, or that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

Often, prior to or after medical procedures on a foot, use of normal footwear is not possible or recommended. A walking boot, often termed an orthopedic shoe, or an open-toed shoe, or even sandals, are recommended for use by a patient for a period of time. Hampered mobility is not the only issue in such circumstances. For example, if a patient is a construction worker or has a similar job where additional safety precautions are necessary for the job, such as footwear with steel toe protection, then the patient may not be able to work while wearing a walking boot or other recommended footwear prior to or after surgery. The patient may lose a portion of their salary while being unable to work due to the limitations in footwear.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This Summary is provided to introduce some general concepts relating to this invention in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the invention.

In one embodiment, an article of footwear is provided. The article of footwear has a heel portion, a midfoot portion, a forefoot portion, a lateral portion and an opposite medial portion. The article of footwear includes a sole having a lip portion. The lip portion extends vertically from a face of the sole. The lip portion extends from the medial portion of the midfoot portion, through the medial portion of the forefoot portion and the lateral portion of the forefoot portion, to and including the lateral portion of the midfoot portion. The lip portion has an upper lip portion and an opposite bottom lip portion. The upper lip portion has a first attachment portion configured to removably attach to an upper of the article of footwear.

In another embodiment, an article of footwear is provided. The article of footwear has a heel portion, a midfoot portion, a forefoot portion, a lateral portion and an opposite medial portion. The article of footwear includes an upper having a flap portion. The flap portion extends from the medial portion of the midfoot portion, through the medial portion of the forefoot portion and the lateral portion of the forefoot portion, to and including the lateral portion of the midfoot portion. The flap portion has an upper flap portion and an opposite bottom flap portion. The bottom flap portion has a second attachment portion configured to removably attach to a sole of the article of footwear.

In a further embodiment, a method of making an article of footwear having a heel portion, a midfoot portion, a forefoot portion, a lateral portion and an opposite medial portion is provided. The method includes providing a sole having a lip portion. The lip portion extends vertically from a face of the sole. The lip portion extends from the medial portion of the midfoot portion, through the medial portion of the forefoot portion and the lateral portion of the forefoot portion, to and including the lateral portion of the midfoot portion. The lip portion has an upper lip portion and an opposite bottom lip portion. The upper lip portion has a first attachment portion configured to removable attach to an upper of the article of footwear.

Other aspects, systems, methods, features, and advantages of embodiments will be, or will become, apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional aspects, systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description and this summary, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the following claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments can be better understood with reference to the following drawings and description. Components in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating structural and functional principles of the embodiments. Like reference numbers in the figures designate corresponding parts throughout the different views, and the initial digit or digits of each reference numeral may indicate the figure number of the first figure in which the part is identified in the figures.

FIG. 1 is a schematic isometric view of an embodiment of an article of footwear;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the article of footwear of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the article of footwear of FIG. 1 illustrating an open flap portion orientation;

FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the article of footwear of FIG. 1, illustrating an open flap portion orientation;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the article of footwear of FIG. 1, illustrating a closed flap portion orientation; and

FIG. 6 is a method of making the article of footwear of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present detailed description generally describes embodiments of methods of making an article of footwear and articles of footwear made by such methods. For simplicity purposes, “article of footwear” and “footwear” may be used interchangeably. Additionally, references to a singular item or characteristic is not limited to a singular term. Singular reference to an item or characteristic may include the plurality of such item or characteristic. Similarly, plural references to items or characteristics may include the singular of such items or characteristics. Singular and plural forms may be used interchangeably without changing the meaning or scope of the invention.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in some embodiments articles 100 may include an upper 102 and a sole structure 104. For purpose of reference, upper 102 and/or article of footwear 100 generally may be divided into a forefoot portion 160, a midfoot portion 162, and a heel portion 164. Forefoot portion 160 generally may be associated with a toe box for the toes and joints connecting the metatarsals with the phalanges. Midfoot portion 162 generally may be associated with the instep and/or arch of a foot. Heel portion 164 generally may be associated with the heel of a foot, including the calcaneus bone. Upper 102 also generally may include a lateral side portion 166 and a medial side portion 168. Lateral side portion 166 and medial side portion 168 may be opposing side of upper 102. One or both lateral side 166 and medial side 168 may extend through forefoot portion 160, midfoot portion 162, and heel portion 164. Some embodiments further may include a front toe portion 154 as well as a vamp or instep portion 156

Sole structure 104 may be secured to upper 102 and extend between the foot and the ground surface when article 100 is worn. In some embodiments, sole structure 104 may be configured to provide traction for article 100. In some embodiments, sole structure 104 may be configured to absorb or attenuate impact or other ground reaction forces when compressed between the foot and the ground surfaces during walking, running, or other ambulatory activities.

The configuration of sole structure 104 may vary significantly in different embodiments to include a variety of known or newly developed sole structures and/or components. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, sole structure 104 variously may include an outsole 22, a midsole 21, and/or an insole 23. Midsole 21 is secured to a lower surface of upper 102 and may be formed from a compressible polymer foam element (e.g. a polyurethane or ethylvinylacetate foam) that attenuates ground reaction forces (i.e. provides cushioning) when compressed between the foot and the ground during walking, running, or other ambulatory activities. In other configurations, midsole 21 may incorporate fluid-filled chambers, plates, moderators, or other elements that further attenuate forces, enhance stability, or influence the motions of the foot, or midsole 21 may be primarily formed from a fluid-filled chamber. Outsole 22 is secured to a lower surface of midsole 21 and may be formed from a wear-resistant rubber material that is textured to impart traction. Insole 23 is located within upper 102 and is positioned to extend under a lower surface of the foot. The structure and features of sole structure 104 or any sole structure utilized with upper 102 may vary considerably.

In some cases, the configuration of sole structure 104 may be selected to be suitable for one or more types of ground surfaces on which sole structure 104 may be used. Example ground surfaces may include, but are not limited to, natural turf, synthetic turf, dirt, sand, gravel, snow, ice, as well as other surfaces. The sole may be made from a combination of natural rubber, polyurethane, or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) compounds.

Upper 102 may be configured to receive and cover a foot. In some embodiments, upper 102 may include an opening 106 that provides entry to an interior of upper 102. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, in some embodiments opening 106 may be an ankle opening. Upper may be made from one or more of a textile, polymer foam, polymer sheet, leather, synthetic leather, elastic leather.

In some embodiments, upper 102 may include a fastening or closure or other provisions for tightening or otherwise adjusting fit characteristics (e.g. girth) of upper 102. For example, in some embodiments upper 102 may include tensioning members, such as lacing members 122 and eyelets 124 for receiving one or more lace or other tensioning member (such as a cable) 126. In this manner, a size of opening 106, and corresponding girth of upper 102 may be adjusted to customize a fit of upper 102 and article of footwear 100. In some embodiments, lacing members 122 of the closure structure may provide reinforcing edge structure and form an opening having a V-shaped configuration, a U-shaped configuration, or another configuration.

In some embodiments, upper 102 may include a tongue 130 (illustrated in phantom in FIG. 1). Tongue 130 may be disposed between a fastening or closure structure and a foot to facilitate comfort and fit. For example, tongue 130 may be disposed between lacing members 122 and a foot—between eyelets 124 and a foot—or between lacing 126 and a foot received in the interior of upper 102. It will be appreciated that a tongue may be optional in some embodiments.

Bootie 140 may extend through each of a bootie forefoot region (or forefoot portion) 142, a bootie midfoot region (or midfoot portion) 144, and a bootie heel region (or heel portion) 146, and along with both a bootie lateral side (or lateral portion) 148 and a bootie medial side (or medial portion) 150. In some embodiments, bootie 140 may also include tongue 130. In some embodiments, bootie 140 may be substantially formed by one material textile, polymer foam, polymer sheet, leather, synthetic leather) into a seamless bootie 140, or from multiple material elements (e.g., textiles, polymer foam, polymer sheets, leather, synthetic leather) that are joined through stitching or bonding as bootie 140, for example.

As used in this description, the terms forefoot portion or region, midfoot portion or region, heel portion or region, toe portion or region, and instep portion or region are only intended for purposes of description and are not intended to demarcate precise portions or boundaries of upper 102. Likewise, the terms lateral side (or lateral portion) and medial side (or medial portion) are intended to represent generally two sides of an article, rather than precisely demarcating upper 102 into two halves.

The article of footwear of the present invention has a flap portion that extends from the medial midfoot region around the forefoot region to and including the lateral midfoot region. The flap portion may be attached and detached from a lip portion that extends from the sole of the footwear. In some embodiments herein, an article of footwear may be a medical footwear. In another embodiments, the article of footwear may be athletic footwear.

Turning to FIGS. 3 and 4, article 300 is shown. Article 300 is an embodiment of an article of footwear similar to footwear 100 incorporating a lip portion and a flap portion. From sole 104 extends a lip portion 170. At least a portion of lip portion 170 extends vertically and/or approximately perpendicular to a face 199 of sole 104. Lip portion 170 extends from medial portion 168 of midfoot portion 162, through medial portion 168 of forefoot portion 160 and lateral portion 166 of forefoot portion 160, to and including lateral portion 166 of midfoot portion 162. Lip portion 170 has an upper lip portion 172 and an opposite bottom lip portion 174. Bottom lip portion 174 is connected to sole 104. Upper lip portion 172 has a first attachment portion 176 configured to removably attach to upper 102. Lip portion 170 has an inner lip surface 178 and an opposite outer lip surface 179. As used herein, the phrase “removably attach” may indicate that an item may attach and detach from another item, often times at the discretion of the user.

Upper 102 has a flap portion 180. Flap portion 180 extends from medial portion 168 of midfoot portion 162, through medial portion 168 of forefoot portion 160 and lateral portion 166 of forefoot portion 160, to and including lateral portion 166 of midfoot portion 162. Flap portion 180 has an upper flap portion 182 and a bottom flap portion 184. Flap portion 180 has an inner flap surface 188 and an outer flap surface 189. Bottom flap portion 184 has a second attachment portion 186 configured to removably attach to sole 104. In an open position, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, first attachment portion 176 is separate from second attachment portion 186 causing flap portion 180 to be separate from lip portion 170.

FIG. 5 shows a lateral side portion 166 of a forefoot portion 160 and midfoot portion 162 of article 300 in a closed position/orientation. In a closed position, first attachment portion 176 is connected to second attachment portion 186 causing flap portion 180 to be connected to lip portion 170.

In some embodiments, first attachment portion 176 and second attachment portion 186 are each portions of a zipper assembly forming a complete zipper assembly. First attachment portion 176 and second attachment portion 186 may be zipped together and apart to allow flap portion 180 and lip portion 170 to be zipped together and apart. In some instances, the zipper assembly may be oriented to begin at medial portion 168 and end at lateral portion 166. In other instances the zipper assembly may be oriented to begin at lateral portion 166 and end at medial portion 168. Where the zipper begins and ends may correspond to a user being left-handed or right-handed. For example, for a right-handed user the zipper begins at the right-side of both a left foot and a right foot oriented article of footwear. Specifically, for a right-foot oriented article of footwear, the zipper for a right-handed user would begin at the lateral portion 166 and end at the medial portion 168. For a left-foot oriented article of footwear, the zipper for a right-handed user would being at the medial portion 168 and end at the lateral portion 166. For a left-handed user, the zipper begins at the left-side of both a left foot and right foot oriented article of footwear. Specifically, for a left-foot oriented article of footwear, the zipper for a left-handed user would begin at the medial portion 168 and end at the lateral portion 166. For a right-foot oriented article of footwear, the zipper for a left-handed user would begin at the lateral portion 166 and end at the medial portion 168. The zipper sizes may be 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, or 18 inches in length. The zipper may be made of steel, brass, and/or nylon.

In further embodiments, first attachment portion 176 may be a male portion of a button assembly and second attachment portion 186 may be a female portion of the button assembly, as shown in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8, or visa-versa, and may be snapped together or pulled apart allowing flap portion 180 and lip portion 170 to be snapped together or pulled apart.

In some instances, outer lip surface 179 may include the first attachment portion 176 that corresponds to the second attachment portion 186 located on the inner flap portion surface 188 causing the flap portion 180 to overlap lip portion 170 when footwear 300 is in a closed orientation. In other instances, inner lip surface 178 may include the first attachment portion 176 that corresponds to the second attachment portion 186 located on the outer flap surface 189 causing the lip portion 170 to overlap flap portion 180 when footwear 300 is in a closed orientation.

Turning to FIG. 6, showing a method of making article of footwear 300. At step 601, sole 104 having lip portion 170 is provided. The lip portion 170 extends vertically from the face 199 of the sole 104. Lip portion 170 extends from medial portion 168 of midfoot portion 162, through medial portion 168 of forefoot portion 160 and lateral portion 166 of forefoot portion 160, to and including lateral portion 166 of midfoot portion 162. Lip portion 170 has an upper lip portion 172 and an opposite bottom lip portion 174. Bottom lip portion 174 is connected to sole 104. The lip portion 170 has a first attachment portion 176 located and proximate upper lip portion 172 and configured to removably attach to upper 102 of the article of footwear 300.

At step 602, upper 102 having a flap portion 180 is provided. The flap portion 180 extends from medial portion 168 of midfoot portion 162, through medial portion 168 of forefoot portion 160 and lateral portion 166 of forefoot portion 160, to and including lateral portion 166 of midfoot portion 162. The flap portion 180 has an upper flap portion 182 and an opposite bottom flap portion 184. The flap portion 180 has a second attachment portion 186 located proximate bottom flap portion 184 and configured to removably attach to sole 104 of the article of footwear.

Whereas, the construction and method have been described in relation to the figures of the drawings, it should be understood that other and further modifications, apart from those shown or suggested herein, may be made within the spirit and scope of this invention. 

What is claimed:
 1. An article of footwear having a heel portion, a midfoot portion, a forefoot portion, a lateral portion and an opposite medial portion, comprising: a sole having a lip portion: the lip portion extending vertically from a face of the sole, the lip portion extending from the medial portion of the midfoot portion, through the medial portion of the forefoot portion and the lateral portion of the forefoot portion, to and including the lateral portion of the midfoot portion, the lip portion having an upper lip portion and an opposite bottom lip portion, the upper lip portion having a first attachment portion configured to removably attach to an upper of the article of footwear.
 2. The article of footwear of claim 1, further comprising: the upper having a flap portion that extends from the medial portion of the midfoot portion, through the medial portion of the forefoot portion and the lateral portion of the forefoot portion, to and including the lateral portion of the midfoot portion, the flap portion having an upper flap portion and an opposite bottom flap portion, the bottom flap portion having a second attachment portion configured to removably attach to a sole of article of footwear.
 3. The article of footwear of claim 2, wherein the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion are each portions of a zipper assembly configured to zip together to form a complete zipper assembly.
 4. The article of footwear of claim 3, wherein the zipper assembly oriented to begin at the medial portion and end at the lateral portion
 5. The article of footwear of claim 3, wherein the zipper assembly is oriented to begin at the lateral portion and end at the medial portion.
 6. An article of footwear having a heel portion, a midfoot portion, a forefoot portion, a lateral portion and an opposite medial portion, comprising: an upper having a flap portion the flap portion extending from the medial portion of the midfoot portion, through the medial portion of the forefoot portion and the lateral portion of the forefoot portion, to and including the lateral portion of the midfoot portion, and the flap portion having an upper flap portion and an opposite bottom flap portion, the bottom flap portion having a second attachment portion configured to removably attach to a sole of article of footwear.
 7. The article of footwear of claim 6, further comprising: a sole having a lip portion: the lip portion extending vertically from a face of the sole, the lip portion extending from the medial portion of the midfoot portion, through the medial portion of the forefoot portion and the lateral portion of the forefoot portion, to and including the lateral portion of the midfoot portion, and the lip portion having an upper lip portion and an opposite bottom lip portion, the upper lip portion having a first attachment portion configured to removably attach to an upper of the article of footwear, wherein the first attachment portion and second attachment portion are each portions of a zipper assembly.
 8. The article of footwear of claim 7 being a right-foot oriented article of footwear and oriented for a right-handed user, wherein the zipper assembly begins on the lateral portion of the article of footwear and ends on the medial portion of the article of footwear.
 9. The article of footwear of claim 7 being a left-foot oriented article of footwear and oriented for a right-handed user, wherein the zipper assembly begins on the medial portion of the article of footwear and ends on the lateral portion of the article of footwear.
 10. The article of footwear of claim 7 being a right-foot oriented article of footwear and oriented for a left-handed user, wherein the zipper assembly begins on the medial portion of the article of footwear and ends on the lateral portion of the article of footwear.
 11. The article of footwear of claim 7 being a left-foot oriented article of footwear and oriented for a left-handed user, wherein the zipper assembly begins on the lateral portion of the article of footwear and ends on the medial portion of the article of footwear.
 12. A method of making an article of footwear having a heel portion, a midfoot portion, a forefoot portion, a lateral portion and an opposite medial portion, the method comprising: providing a sole having a lip portion, the lip portion extending vertically from a face of the sole, the lip portion extending from the medial portion of the midfoot portion, through the medial portion of the forefoot portion and the lateral portion of the forefoot portion, to and including the lateral portion of the midfoot portion, and the lip portion having an upper lip portion and an opposite bottom lip portion, the upper lip portion having a first attachment portion configured to removably attach to an upper of the article of footwear.
 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising: providing the upper having a flap portion, the flap portion extending from the medial portion of the midfoot portion, through the medial portion of the forefoot portion and the lateral portion of the forefoot portion, to and including the lateral portion of the midfoot portion, and the flap portion having an upper flap portion and an opposite bottom flap portion, the bottom flap portion having a second attachment portion configured to removably attach to the sole of article of footwear.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion are each portions of a zipper assembly configured to zip together to form a complete zipper assembly.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the zipper assembly oriented to begin at the medial portion and end at the lateral portion
 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the zipper assembly is oriented to begin at the lateral portion and end at the medial portion.
 17. The method of claim 13, wherein the first attachment portion and the second attachment portions are each portions of a button assembly configured to fasten together to form a complete button assembly.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein lip portion has an inner lip surface and an outer lip surface, and wherein flap portion has an inner flap surface and an outer flap surface.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein first attachment portion is located on the outer lip surface and second attachment portion is located on the inner flap surface causing the flap portion to overlay the lip portion in a closed position of the article of footwear.
 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the first attachment portion is located on the inner lip surface and the second attachment portion is located on the outer flap surface causing the lip portion to overlay the flap portion in a closed position of the article of footwear. 